De Kock injury is a concern ahead of looming India tour

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was not able to do any fielding, or play any part whatsoever, in the final sessions of theTest against Zimbabwe, and is an injury concern for the start of the series against India scheduled to start next week, after scans yesterday revealed he had strained his right hamstring.

De Kock pulled the muscle while batting on the opening day of the day-night Test at St George’s Park and after being assessed the young wicketkeeper/batsman was told to rest in a bid to be ready for the three-Test series against India, that starts on January 5, officials said.

Enter trusty AB

De Kock suffered the injury when he was running between the wickets in his brief innings and as a result he did not come out to take his place behind the stumps later on Tuesday when Zimbabwe were put in to bat after South Africa declared their first innings on a healthy 309/9.

Instead, AB de Villiers did wicketkeeping duty, having already being pressed into the captaincy when Faf du Plessis pulled out before the start of the Test because of a bout of flu.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn’s return after a year out with injury was also postponed because of a viral infection.

South Africa met Zimbabwe in a one-off warm-up Test ahead of incoming tours by India and Australia in the next three months.

South Africa, seeking to topple India as the top ranked Test side, will be hoping De Kock, Du Plessis and Steyn will all be fit again next week ahead of the opening Test against India at Newlands in Cape Town.